Chapter 45

The problem with falling for someone?

You don't realize how bad it is until it's too late.

Until you start checking your phone too often.

Until you start noticing the little things.

Until you start missing them when they're not around.

And today?

Today, I had officially lost.

Because Mehul had sent one simple message.

And now?

I was lying in bed, staring at my phone like a complete idiot.

I had barely recovered from his unexpected check-in when my phone buzzed again.

Another text.

From Mehul.

I swallowed, unlocking my phone.

Mehul: Tomorrow. 10 AM. Free?

I froze.

Tomorrow? As in… a plan?

I blinked, staring at the message.

Because what was this?

A casual hangout?

A second date?

Mehul messing with my sanity again?

I swallowed. Typed back.

Vihaan: Depends. Why?

The reply came instantly.

Mehul: You'll see.

…Oh my god.

The next morning, I woke up early.

Not because I was excited. (Obviously.)

Just because.

Except, now I had a whole new problem.

 What was I supposed to wear?

 Was this casual or… more than that?

 Why had I agreed to this without asking any details?!

I paced around my room, overthinking.

Then, before I could spiral even further—

My phone buzzed again.

Mehul: Downstairs.

…WHAT?!

I rushed to the window, looking outside—

And there he was.

Leaning against his car, waiting.

Like he knew I would show up.

Like this was completely normal.

I swallowed hard.

Because I was in real trouble now.

I walked outside, trying to act normal.

Mehul glanced up. "Took you long enough."

I scoffed. "I wasn't expecting you to just… show up at my house."

He shrugged. "You didn't ask where we were going."

I froze.

Because oh.

Oh no.

I actually didn't.

I had been so distracted by the fact that he wanted to meet me again that I hadn't even bothered to ask.

I cleared my throat. "So… where are we going?"

Mehul started the car. "You'll see."

I hated him.

(I did not hate him.)

Thirty minutes later, we pulled up to a quiet street.

Shops lined the road. Small bookstores, a couple of cafés, a second-hand.

I blinked.

Mehul parked and glanced at me.

I frowned. "What is this?"

He tilted his head. "You like books, don't you?"

My breath caught.

Because he knew.

Somewhere, he had noticed.

Maybe from the way I always had my Kindle in my bag.

Maybe from the way I talked about stories too much.

Maybe from… actually paying attention.

And now, he had brought me here.

I swallowed, trying not to freak out.

Mehul got out of the car. "Coming?"

I immediately followed.

Because I had no other choice.